Book Review: Murder in the Book Lover's Loft by Ellery Adams

It's vacation time for our favourite couple at Storyton Hall, Jane Stewart and Edwin Alcott. They're headed to Oyster Bay for a little time in the sun. However, not all goes to plan when Jane discovers a body on the beach. The victim is Justin St James, a visiting author, who leaves a trail of very unhappy people in his wake. It's up to Jane, Edwin and Olivia Limoges to uncover the secrets of his death.

There is nothing I love more than Storyton Hall. The cozy bookish atmosphere that Ellery Adams has created in Storyton Hall is absolutely everything! Visiting Storyton Hall, among the pages, is akin to climbing into a comfortable chair with your favourite book! I am so thrilled that a new adventure is here to entice me once again!

I really enjoyed this mystery. Jane and Edwin team up with Olivia to solve the murder. Without giving too much away, this mystery really delves into Olivia and Jane's back story and it's an action packed mystery. 

I can't recommend this series enough! Honestly if you read mysteries and this series isn't on your shelves, what are you doing with your life? I love this series that much! It is definitely a series that you have to read in order, as the storyline about the "secret library" builds with each book. 

Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is the best in this series so far! I absolutely can't wait to see what Ellery Adams has up her sleeve next!

Book Review: Murder on the Poet's Walk by Ellery Adams

As Jane eagerly anticipates the wedding of her best friend Eloise Alcott, Storyton Hall is overrun with poets in town to compete for a coveted greeting card contract. They’re everywhere, scrawling verses on cocktail napkins in the reading rooms or seeking inspiration strolling the Poet’s Walk, a series of trails named after famous authors. But the Tennyson Trail leads to a grim surprise: a woman’s corpse drifting in a rowboat on a lake, a crumpled copy of “The Lady of Shallot” in her lifeless fist.

When a second body is discovered, also holding a page from a poetry book, a recurring MO emerges. Fortunately, Jane is well versed in sleuthing and won’t rest until she gives the killer a taste of poetic justice . . .[summary via Amazon]

Our favourite resort manager, Jane Steward, is back for a new adventure! This time she is playing host to a poetry competition, where one lucky poet will win a greeting card contract! However, the contest starts to turn deadly when a contestant turns up dead. Who is determined to narrow the playing field? And, will Jane find the killer before they strike again!

I absolutely love Ellery Adams' stories! Her Charmed Pie Shoppe mysteries are in my top 5 favourite series! She crafts delightful, interesting mysteries that bring in the reader like no other. Her new novel, Murder on the Poet's Walk, is no exception.

The series always delivers a great mystery, but it is the characters and interesting facts about other authors that keeps me coming back. This one centres around poetry, and in particular Walt Whitman. As an Australian, who now resides in Canada, I found the history of American poets really fascinating!

The mystery itself was top-notch and I didn't manage to solve it before Jane and her friends. I sure had fun trying, though! At every dead end, I had to look at the rest of the never-ending suspects! It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, until the final denouement!

I cannot recommend this series enough. Whenever I suggest it, I always say "come for the mystery, and stay for Storyton"! Storyton is a delight, and one cozy town you have to visit!

Book Review: Murder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams

Jane Steward’s resort is hopping—not only is Peppermint Press’s conference in full swing, there are also lots of families staying on the premises, bringing their kids to events like a scavenger hunt through the Fairy Tale Forest.

Then a woman dressed like Little Red Riding Hood is found dead from a plot device straight out of a fairy tale—with a rare and valuable copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales in her basket. Not long after, a second victim is killed, with yet another treasure—a volume by Hans Christian Andersen worth thousands of dollars—nearby. It looks like a big bad wolf may be lurking among the guests, and Jane can’t just wait for a handsome prince to come to the rescue . . .[summary via Amazon]

Ellery Adams is the voice of cozy mysteries and she's crafted some of the best mysteries on the shelves today. She's at it again with Murder in the Storybook Cottage, delivering a beautiful, magical story that will have readers craving to re-read books from our childhood.

Storyton Hall is hosting a publisher's conference for Peppermint Press, publishers of children's books, and Jane Steward is looking forward to a week of fun and frivolity. However, when she discovers a stranger's body in her new Storybook Cottage, plans change and Jane must devote her time to finding out who the stranger is and who killed her.

I've been a long-time reader of Ellery Adams' books. Whether she is weaving actual magic (like the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries) or the magic that comes from being curled up with a good book (like the Book Retreat Mysteries), I've always felt like real magic comes off each page of her stories. They wrap me up like the hug from a best friend, and make me feel like everything is right with the world. This is exactly how I felt reading Murder in the Storybook Cottage.

The story centres around children's books, both modern and older books. While reading the story I was able to think about how much the stories have changed over the decades. The Brothers Grimm stories were quite dark, but still very much read and loved today. As a mom to twin boys myself, I read a lot of children's books with them, and I loved seeing Ellery Adams mention many of our favourites - including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I loved that the mystery involved fairy tales of times gone past, and it was interesting to see how the mystery was weaved into the Grimm's Fairy Tales. Along with the mystery, the readers get a look into life at Storyton Hall, and all that encompasses the children's activities that they are holding, to celebrate children's fiction. Both storylines we weaved together, and that pace was frantic, as Jane and her friends try to find a killer before they strike again! 

With the current situation in the world, Murder in the Storybook Cottage  is a well-timed, much needed dose of magic. The kind of magic that doesn't come from a wand, but from reading a good book, escaping the world and adding one of those "happy moments" to our lives. I can't recommend this book (and the Book Retreat Mysteries) enough. Pick up a copy today. I guarantee you that it will be the best book you read this year!

Book Review: Murder in the Reading Room by Ellery Adams

Jane’s boyfriend is missing, and she thinks she may find him at North Carolina’s historic Biltmore Estate. Officially, she’s there to learn about luxury hotel management, but she’s also prowling around the breathtaking buildings and grounds looking for secret passageways and clues. One of the staff gardeners promises to be helpful . . . that is, until his body turns up in the reading room of his cottage, a book on his lap.

When she finally locates the kidnapped Edwin, his captor insists that she lead him back to Storyton Hall, convinced that it houses Ernest Hemingway’s lost suitcase, stolen from a Paris train station in 1922. But before they can turn up the treasure, the bell may toll for another victim . . .[summary via Amazon]

When the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries ended (also written by Ellery Adams), I didn't think another series would capture my attention and all of my emotions so much. However, the Book Retreat Mysteries were waiting in the wings, waiting to captivate. And, captivate they do!! This series holds a very special place in my cozy heart...

Jane Steward is the Guardian of Storyton Hall, and among the responsibilities this entails, it involves murder, mayhem and protecting not just those that she loves, but also a secret library. In Murder in the Reading Room, Jane is racing to the man she loves, to save him. However what she finds changes everything she knew about being a Guardian and the people around her. 

Oh gosh... this series is everything that defines a cozy. It is set in a small town, there is murder and mayhem, and "cozy" characters and situations that give readers the "toe-curling" feeling of wanting to curl up with this book for hours. However, it also provides so much more than the traditional cozy. I finished Murder in the Reading Room and described its words as "constantly moving, never stationary". For anyone that has read a book by Ellery Adams this is such a perfect description, because she has the ability to spin her stories on the axis and move them in a direction that we never see coming, a direction that is the perfect evolution for the story and characters. This is exactly what happens in Murder in the Reading Room. Forget everything you thought you knew about Storyton Hall, Jane and her friends because life will never be the same again!

Every story in this series centres around at least one author in history. This time it is Ernest Hemingway and I loved reading more about him. Quite often, at the end, I put down the book, and pick up my computer to research said author. I love that Ellery Adams has me researching and wanting to learn more about the authors I'm reading about.

I cannot recommend the Book Retreat Mysteries enough. They transcend the traditional cozy, and I strongly believe that every cozy mystery reader should be reading them. Intelligent, well-plotted and definitely cozy these are books not be missed!

Book Review: Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams

With her twins, Fitzgerald and Hemingway, back in school, Jane Steward can finally focus on her work again—managing Storyton Hall, and breaking ground on the resort’s latest attraction: a luxurious, relaxing spa named in honor of Walt Whitman. But when the earth is dug up to start laying the spa’s foundation, something else comes to the surface—a collection of unusual bones and the ragged remnants of a very old book. The attendees of the Rare Book Conference are eager to assist Jane with this unexpected historical mystery—until a visitor meets an untimely end in the Henry James Library. As the questions—and suspects—start stacking up, Jane will have to uncover a killer before more unhappy endings ensue . . .

“Combines clever clues, a smart and courageous heroine and an interesting setting in a whodunit that will inspire readers to make further visits to Storyton Hall.”[summary via Goodreads]

In the fourth book in the Book Retreat Mysteries, Jane Steward is hosting a group of rare book collectors for the Rare Book Conference. A week of fun events and study of rare books is planned. However, the plans change when a dead body is unearthed on the property and one member of the Robert Harley Rare Book Society turns up dead. Jane and her "Fins" must put their heads together to solve two murders and restore order to Storyton Hall.

I absolutely love the Book Retreat Mysteries. They're a mystery and an education on books all rolled into one. If you love books, as much as I do, you're guaranteed to love this series!

Hot off reading the third book, The Murder in the Secret Garden, I picked up the fourth book in the series. I was swept away to Storyton Hall, and a mystery surrounding a century old pile of human bones and a very, very old (but dangerous) book.  I found the mystery surrounding this old book really fascinating. Why would a book (in a locked case no less) be buried with a body, and not discovered for over a century later? 

As the mystery unravelled we learn a lot about this book, and why it should've remained hidden. We also learn about the history of Storyton Hall, and this was deeply fascinating too.

When I turned the last page of The Murder in the Locked Library, I couldn't wait for the next book. It definitely left me hanging and wanting more adventure. Luckily for me, the next book is released in just a few days time, so I will be heading back to Storyton Hall very soon!

Book Review: Murder in the Secret Garden by Ellery Adams

There is a hidden garden bordering the grounds of Jane Steward’s book-themed resort—a garden filled with beautiful but deadly plants such as mandrake and nightshade. Tucked away behind ivy-covered walls and accessible only through a single locked door, as described in the pages of Frances Hodges Burnett's classic novel, the garden is of special interest to Jane’s current group of guests, The Medieval Herbalists. But when one of them turns up dead, Jane must discover whether a member of the group has come to Storyton Hall to celebrate their passion for plant lore or to implement a particularly cruel means for murder.

With thousands of books at her disposal, Jane believes she has the proper materials to solve this deadly problem. If she’s wrong, however, she may lose something far more precious than the contents of Storyton’s secret library...[summary via Amazon]

I love reading books about books. Cozy mysteries that feature a strong book theme are my absolute favourite. For this reason, and so many others, the Book Retreat Mysteries are one of my favourites. They have an interesting mystery to solve, but there is also the story behind the "Fins", the organization that protect and preserve the secret library within Storyton Hall. Both of these storylines entwine together to create a delightful read, with each book being even more memorable than the previous one.

In Murder in the Secret Garden Jane Steward and her twin sons, Hem and Fitz, are caught up in the delight of the rubber duck race. The rubber duck race is the idea of the new Storyton Outfitters owners and the boys delight in being able to purchase a duck to race. Things turn deadly when one of the Medieval Herbalist turns up dead. 

I love the twists and turns of the mystery. Just when I thought I had it solved, it twisted around and left me clueless. Beyond the mystery, I absolutely love the concept of the Fins, the secret organization that protect the secret library. Add in the handsome, rogue Edwin Alcott, who is known as "The Thief" and you have a delightful story that will please even the pickiest reader!

Being a twin mom to boys, another reason I love this series is the inclusion of Fitz and Hem. These delightful, albeit mischievous, boys really bring this story alive. With their aversion to clean baths and their love of literature, I always enjoy hearing what they're up to and what they are reading. This time they're immersed in Harry Potter, and I loved all the Harry Potter references, and how they adapt everyday chores into Harry Potter-isms.

Murder in the Secret Garden is a delight to all bibliophiles, and if you're not reading this series yet you should be. Pick up book one, Murder in the Mystery Suite, and immerse yourself in this well-crafted book-themed cozy mystery series.

Book Review: Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Jane Steward is organizing a week of activities for fans of love stories at her book-themed resort. But her Regency readers barely have time to brush up on their Jane Austen before tragedy strikes Storyton Hall. Rosamund York, one of the most celebrated authors in attendance, is killed. 

Rosamund had as many enemies as she did admirers, including envious fellow novelists, a jealous former lover, and dozens of angry fans. It’s up to Jane, with the help of her book club, the Cover Girls, to catalogue the list of suspects and find a heartless killer quickly—before the murderer writes someone else off…[summary via Goodreads]

As a reader, I love books about books! The one cozy mystery that epitomizes this more than any other is Ellery Adams' Book Retreat Mysteries. This series centres around a retreat, where books line the walls, and unknown to the guests Jane Steward is part of a secret organization that protects rare books. It's books, books, and more books! Being a reader that can't ever get enough books, it is easy to see why this is one of my favourite series!

In the second book in this series, Jane and the crew at Storyton Hall are getting ready for a week of regency romance. They are expecting all things romance, and what they aren't expecting is murder. And, murder of one of the most celebrated romance authors at that!! Jane must put her detecting skills to work to uncover the murderer, before they strike again.

I'm not a big regency reader, even though I do love Pride and Prejudice. Having said that, I loved every word of Murder in the Paperback Parlor. The mystery was intriguing, and alongside the mystery the reader learns more about Jane and the books she is served to protect. There are so many layers to this series, and it is the little side plots that are just as interesting, as the main course - i.e. the mystery itself.

I can't get enough of this series! Murder in the Paperback Parlor  was even better than the first book in the series, and I can't wait to dig in to the next book to see what is in store for Jane and the crew at Storyton Hall.

Book Review: Lemon Pies and Little White Lies by Ellery Adams

Ella Mae LeFaye’s Charmed Pie Shoppe has become a phenomenon beyond her wildest dreams, providing the enchanted town of Havenwood, Georgia, with spellbinding desserts and magical pies. Her personal life is also heating up as she takes on the responsibilities of leadership within her magical community. In fact, the only thing weighing her down is the fact that handsome Hugh Dylan won’t return her calls…

Still, when Havenwood is rocked by a series of mysterious deaths, Ella Mae must put romantic longings aside—especially when she realizes that the mystical symbols left at each crime scene are dangerously personal. Now she will have to whip up all her supernatural skills to uncover a killer out to settle an ancient score—before the murderer devastates everything Ella Mae is determined to protect…

Every now and then a series comes along that is so unique and individual, and you know it is going to be an instant  hit. This is how I felt the first time I picked up Pies & Prejudice, the first book in the Charmed Pie Shoppe mystery. It was love at first read and I'm happy to report that my love for this series has never wavered. In fact with each book, I develop more affection for this uniquely wonderful cozy mystery series.

For those that haven't been introduced the wonders of the Charmed Pie Shoppe series it is set in Havenwood, around a special group of people. Magical people. For me the most magical is Ella Mae LaFaye, who uses her magic in her pies! Of course not everything that is magical is sunshine and rainbows and more often than not there is evil in the midst. As is the case in Lemon Pies and Little White Lies. When a dead body shows up , the signs point to someone that is out to get Ella Mae. The community must rally together to keep evil out and protect Havenwood.

For most series I will say that they can be read out of order. For the Charmed Pie Shoppe mysteries, I would strongly recommend reading them in order. It is not something you will regret. Within the first pages of Pies and Prejudice you will be in love and rushing to the bookstore for more of this series! All the characters and storylines build on each other and create for one of the most perfect reading experiences I have experienced in my years of reading cozy mysteries. This series is cozy mystery perfection, as it has a little of something for everyone - magic, adventure, history, murderous mayhem and a little romance!

I thoroughly enjoyed every page of Lemon Pies and Little White Lies and what I loved the most is that this book finished without a cliffhanger, but it does leave the readers with the promise of what might be in the next book.

Readers, take a trip to Havenwood. It will be a trip that you are going to take time and time again!

Title Information:
Lemon Pies and Little White Lies by Ellery Adams
Book #4 of the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries
Published by Penguin Random House

Books in the series:

Click the covers to purchase from Amazon.

Book Review: Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams

Readers get ready to be transported to a magical estate where readers will get to immerse themselves in their love of books. This is exactly what readers have in store for them when they visit Storyton Hall. In her newest series Ellery Adams is transporting readers to a holiday estate, where visitors get to spend their days reading books in various themed rooms, or walking on the beautiful grounds. When resort manager, Jane Stewart, hosts a themed week "Murder and Mayhem Week" she doesn't realize Storyton Hall will be the scene for an actual murder, as someone is intent on recovering a book at all costs!

Amongst all the genres I love mysteries the most. There is such a great variety for readers, from the classics of Agatha Christie to the modern cozy mystery. Murder in the Mystery Suite is a celebration of the mystery genre. From the reading rooms named after authors, to the murder, which centers around a lost manuscript from a great mystery author. Every page delighted in me, as I felt fully immersed in the mystery, and enjoyed the delightful name dropping of all the authors mentioned.

I loved all the characters at Storyton Hall, and those in the town as well. There is more than meets the eye to Jane Stewart, and her delightful twins, as well as her Aunt and Uncle. They kept me on my toes and I wasn't able to guess who the murderer was, or other surprises along the way.

Alike to her other mysteries, Ellery Adams has subtly weaved magic within the pages, and left readers absolutely mesmerized with this new series. While not of the paranormal kind, it is the kind of magic that leaves readers absolutely hooked on each series, and this is one that I won't be forgetting in a hurry. I absolutely can't wait to see what Ellery Adams has in store for Jane Stewart in the next story.